Storm Aftermath News and Notes: Suffield Shelter Visited by Lt. Gov. Wyman

The shelter at was busy Wednesday morning, as residents, volunteers and town officials received a visit from Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman.

Breakfast was finishing up and plans for the day were discussed when Wyman appeared. She discussed the restoration efforts, noting that Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) crews are working to restore power and sympathized with the situation shelter residents are in.

Wyman toured the shelter as well, stopping in to see the kitchen volunteers, among them Jerry Hodge, Paula Hodge, Nancy Woods and first selectman candidate Ed McAnaney, begin preparing lunch. The kitchen volunteers have prepared more than 100 meals three times a day as the shelter's ranks have grown.

The only cooking heat sources available in the high school's kitchen are two gas stove burners. Volunteers are spending significant amounts of their days setting up meals, preparing the actual food and breaking down and cleaning up afterward.

"We are so fortunate to have good people [like this] in the state," Wyman said.

Shelter coordinator Tom Zera echoed Wyman's statement as he discussed how well the operation has gone so far.

"The people here are unbelievable," he said.

He said people from Suffield have been eager to volunteer and the organizational process has been positive. To volunteer at the shelter, simply visit the high school and talk with one of the coordinators.

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Shelter coordinator Laurie Foster's daughter Anna treated Wyman and the rest of the shelter to an a cappella rendition of "Climb" by Miley Cyrus. Anna Foster, a student at Classical Magnet School in Hartford, held the attention of an appreciate audience with her performance.

"With young people like that, we're all going to keep our spirits up," Wyman said.

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First Selectman Tom Frenaye said that debris clean up is being organized but may not take place for a few weeks. Residents can place downed tree limbs and similar detritus resulting from the storm near their curbs for pick up. The town landfill is open and accepting storm debris as well.

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Suffield Police Department Captain Craig Huntley offered up a number of useful and thoughtful reminders for residents without power. He pointed to basic food handling, saying perishable items need to be kept as cold as possible and that people should use hand sanitizers before touching or preparing food.

Checking on neighbors should be a priority, according to Huntley. He said residents should communicate with those around them, make sure they are safe and be especially aware of the needs of those people, including medical conditions.

Huntley offered a simple but sometimes overlooked piece of advice: "If you know something, say something."

Huntley said Suffield police are active and alert 24 hours a day, seven days a week to deal with criminal, medical and civil matters.

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Sam's Food Mart at 1520 Mapleton Avenue is the first gas station in Suffield to reopen following the storm.

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There are between 200 and 250 cots in the shelter, with the school gym serving as the main sleeping quarters and individual classrooms available for shelter visitors with special needs. Many residents are using the building as a warming and charging station and not spending the night, meaning total attendance throughout the day is even higher.